At age 14, Nazia Asalam has already memorised 24 chapters of the Holy Quran, while pursuing a primary school education. But her academic achievements have little to do with privilege. In fact, Nazia is an orphan from a poor family. She’s one of many children at Ashiyana Orphan home in Kahori, who have been given a second chance at a better start in life.

Before Nazia lost her father, her family used to live in Bashash, a small village on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad. Nazia’s father was a labourer in Karachi, where he was murdered. His wife and children never learned how or why he was killed, and his murderer was never arrested.

The family fell on hard times, and it was only through the grace of Allah (swt) that Al Mustafa Welfare Trust (AMWT) learned of their plight and offered Nazia a Hafiz Quran Sponsorship. Nazia gave herself to her studies as soon as she was enrolled at Ashiyana. She is now in year 5 and a dedicated student who has dreams of becoming a teacher to care for her family.